Why didn't Ja'Marr Chase sign a contract extension? Star WR, Bengals couldn't agree on salary guarantees

The saga between Ja'Marr Chase and the Bengals has stalled as talks between the two parties concerning a fresh contract seem to have been tabled for now. Though the wide receiver appeared in Cincinnati's season opener last Sunday, he suited up without a deal in place between him and his employer. 

Unfortunately, the Bengals would lose the matchup to New England 16-10. Chase led the team in receiving with 62 yards on six receptions, but only running back Zack Moss found the end zone for Cincinnati. Quarterback Joe Burrow completed 21 passes for 164 yards with no touchdowns to show for it.

This comes after Chase failed to participate in practice during training camp in hopes of eventually sealing an extension with the team. Here's everything to know about why he didn't sign a contract when he had the chance, including why the star wide receiver and the Bengals couldn't agree on salary guarantees.

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Why didn't Ja'Marr Chase sign a contract extension?

It was reported last Sunday before the Bengals opener Chase and the team did not agree to a long-term deal. That doesn't mean the two sides didn't come close — the 24-year-old was offered a 4-year, $140 million contract with $90 million guaranteed, according to Cincinnati Bengals on SI. The guaranteed money included a $30 million signing bonus, as well.

Apparently, Chase's camp was fine with those numbers, but the lone problem was with when the guarantees would kick in. The receiver wanted the guaranteed money and injury protections to release earlier in the deal, and when the two couldn't come to an agreement the talks discontinued. 

Despite this, Chase did play in the Bengals Week 1 game against the Patriots. He can still negotiate with the team because there's technically no deadline either side needs to adhere to, but Cincinnati isn't known to negotiate during the season. That being said, it's possible they could make an exception for their star pass-catcher.

Ja'Marr Chase contract details

Currently, the fourth-year receiver is still playing on his rookie contract — a 4-year, $30.8 million all-guaranteed contract after the Bengals picked him No. 5 in the 2021 NFL Draft. This season, he's collecting just under 30 percent of that total salary while representing the salary-cap hit the team is taking for him.

After the team picked up his fifth-year option, Chase is set to be a Bengal through the 2025 season. If there is no extension, his salary, and cap hit rise to $21.816 million.

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Ja'Marr Chase contract projection

Fellow franchise wideouts Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb signed record contracts this offseason for their respective teams, which implores that Chase will soon join their ranks. In fact, he could even be in line for a position-best $36 million per season, one million more than his Vikings companion. 

Jefferson got $110 million guaranteed and Lamb was hot on his heels with $100 million. It wouldn't be surprising if Chase signed a deal superseding both of those, given that he was a higher draft pick in 2021 than his former LSU teammate Jefferson. 

Highest paid wide receivers 2024

As far as the 2024 season goes, Jefferson and Lamb head the list of highest-paid wide receivers. AJ Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Brandon Aiyuk, and Dolphins duo Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle also made appearances on the list.

Here's a look at the top-10 richest wideouts this year.